Optical fiber connector with changeable gender

ABSTRACT

A multi-fiber, fiber optic connector is interchangeable between a male connector and a female connector by including a pin retainer having a releasable retention device configured to lock the pins in place within the retainer. The retention device may be opened, for example, with a release tool, to free the retention pins for removal of the pins. A method for switching a connector between a male connector configuration and a female connector configuration may be possible as a result of the releasable retention configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/958,227, filed Apr. 20, 2018 and pending, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/626,430 filed on Jun. 19, 2017 andis now U.S. Pat. No. 9,997,199 issued on May 22, 2018, which iscontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/725,514, filed May29, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,684,139 issued on Jun. 20, 2017, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Demand for bandwidth by enterprises and individual consumers continuesto experience exponential growth. To meet this demand efficiently andeconomically, data centers have to achieve ultra-high density cablingwith low loss budgets. Fiber optics have become the standard cablingmedium used by data centers to meet the growing needs for data volumeand transmission speeds.

Individual optical fibers are extremely small. For example, even withprotective coatings, optical fibers may be only about 250 microns indiameter (only about 4 times the diameter of a human hair). As such,hundreds of fibers can be installed in cables that will take uprelatively little space. For connections between cables, however, thefibers are terminated with connectors. Multiple fibers may be arrangedwithin a single connector. For example, multi-fiber connectors such asthose using multi-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) technology may containand connect 12 or 24 fibers. Connectors, such as MPO type connectors,generally include a housing portion that contains a ferrule thatterminates the ends of the fibers. Ferrules are generally used to retainthe ends of the optical fibers for connecting the optical fibers. Onetype of optical ferrule that may be used with MPO type connectors is anMT (Mechanically Transferable) ferrule.

Typically, MPO connectors are joined together to connect the opticaltransmission path of one fiber optic cable to another fiber optic cableor device, and the connection may be made by inserting the MPOconnectors in an MPO adapter. An adapter generally includes a housing,or portion of a housing, having at least one port which is configured toreceive and hold a connector to facilitate the optical connection of theconnector ferrule with the ferrule of another connector or other device.Adapters may be used to facilitate connections contained within achassis. The term “chassis” as used herein broadly refers to acontainment structure for housing electrical components or switchingcomponents.

MT (Mechanically Transferable) ferrules are optical ferrules which arestandardized according to JIS C 5981, IEC 61754-5 and the like. The MTferrules get pushed together within the adapter to optically connect theferrules by means of a so-called PC (Physical Contact) connection,wherein the optical fibers in one ferrule contact the optical fibers inthe other ferrule and get compressed together to provide an opticalconnection. Optical transmission performance between the optical fibersis strongly dependent on connecting conditions such as axis alignmentand inclination of the optical fibers, and gaps between the opposingoptical fibers.

MT ferrules generally use at least two guide pins for high-accuracyalignment of the optical fibers in the mating ferrules. An MT ferrulebody may include at least two guide pin holes on the end surface of theferrule for receiving the guide pins therein. For a pair of matingconnectors, one of the ferrule bodies of a first connector may beprovided with guide pins in the guide pin holes (generally called the‘male’ connector), and the other ferrule body of a second connector mayhave only the guide pin holes (generally called the ‘female’ connector).As such, a highly accurate mating of the connectors may be achieved whenthe guide pins of the male connector are disposed within the guide pinholes of the female connector.

The gender, male or female, designation of a connector may often betypically predisposed during manufacturing of the connector, whereinconnectors may be manufactured to be either male or female. Suchconnectors may be pre-installed on cable ends, and care must be taken sothat the cables are all installed in the proper direction so that matingof male and female ends may possible. Alternatively, for on-siteinstallation, a connector may be assembled onto a cable end, and duringassembly the installer may install pins or a pin component into aferrule body to provide a male connector, or alternatively, leave suchpieces absent to provide a female connector.

For installations wherein the gender may accidentally end up beingincorrect, or installations where the gender may need to be changed forone reason or another, such as a renovation or installation of a genderspecific component, the gender of typical connectors is not changeable,or only changeable after disassembly and reassembly in the oppositedesignation. As such, for predetermined gender connectors, an entireconnector may need to be removed and essentially scrapped, forreplacement by an opposite gender connector, or for connectors requiringdisassembly and reassembly, much time may be wasted in the re-genderingprocess.

Therefore, there remains a need for multi-fiber, fiber optic connectorsthat have the flexibility of easily changing the gender of the connectoron site.

SUMMARY

A multi-fiber, fiber optic connector may include removable guide pinsfor changing the gender of the connector. The connector may beconfigured to releasably retain the guide pins therein. The guide pinsmay be insertable into the connector to convert the connector from afemale connector to a male connector. Once inserted, the guide pins maybe retained, or locked in place with a retention configuration. Toconvert from male to female, the retention configuration may be openedto release the guide pins, and the guide pins may be removed from theconnector.

In an embodiment, a multi-fiber fiber optic connector interconvertiblebetween a male connector and a female connector, includes a ferrulecomprising a plurality of optical fibers supported therein andterminating at a first end of the ferrule for alignment with opticalfibers of an additional device, at least two spaced apart passagesdisposed along at least a portion of the ferrule and configured forreceiving alignment pins therein, a pin retainer configured forreleasably retaining the alignment pins in a the connector when thealignment pins are disposed in the passages, and a housing disposedaround the pin retainer and at least a portion of the ferrule. The pinretainer includes a portion for engaging each alignment pin to retainthe alignment pins in the connector for a male configuration, whereinthe portion for engaging is selectively releasable from the alignmentpins for removal of the alignment pins for a female configuration.

In an embodiment a pin retainer for a fiber optic connector includes abody portion for being disposed with a ferrule in the connector, an atleast one selectively displaceable locking member configured for lockingan alignment pin with the body portion, wherein the selectivelydisplaceable locking member has a first position for engaging analignment pin to lock an alignment pin with the body portion, and asecond position displaced from the first position for release of analignment pin locked with the body portion.

In an embodiment a method for interconversion of a fiber optic connectorbetween a male configuration with at least one alignment pin, and afemale configuration with at least one passage for receiving analignment pin is provided. The connector includes at least oneselectively displaceable locking member for locking at least onealignment pin therein, and the method includes, for converting a femaleconfiguration to a male configuration, slidably inserting at least onealignment pin into engagement with the selectively displaceable lockingmember to lock the alignment pin into the connector, and for convertinga male configuration to a female configuration, releasing theselectively displaceable locking member from the alignment pin, andslidably removing the alignment pin from the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict male and female configurations of an MPOconnector according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts an MPO adapter as generally used for mating MPOconnectors of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a male connector according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ferrule and a pin retainer accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and rear exploded perspective views of theferrule and the pin retainer of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pin retainer and guide pins accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7D are top, side, front and rear face views of a pin retaineraccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8D provide top, side and sectional views of a pin retained witha pin retainer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a male connector with its outerhousing pulled back to show the release slots according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 provides a side view of the inner housing showing the releaseslots according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the release slots shown in FIG. 10according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a tool and placement thereof relative to the release slotsaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 13A-13B are side and sectional views of the embodiment of FIG. 12according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are sectional views showing use of a tool to releasethe pins according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show an alternative tool configuration according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 16A-16D show an alternative configuration of a pin retaineraccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 17A-17D show an alternative configuration of a pin retaineraccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 18A-18B show a one-piece housing and pin retainer according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “optical fiber” is intended to apply to alltypes of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one ormore bare optical fibers, coated optical fibers, loose-tube opticalfibers, tight-buffered optical fibers, ribbonized optical fibers, bendperformance optical fibers, bend insensitive optical fibers,nanostructured optical fibers or any other expedient for transmittinglight signals. A multi-fiber optic cable includes a plurality of theoptical fibers. Such cables have a variety of names depending on theirparticular usage, and may be considered as “trunk cables” or “trunks”when connected to fiber optic modules used to form connections to jumpercables using a select polarity.

For connection of cables together or with other fiber optic devices, theterminal ends of a cable may include a male connector 10 or femaleconnector 12 as represented in FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively, or inexploded view of FIG. 3. A connector 10, 12 may include an inner housingstructure 14 configured to interact with and connect with an adapter 15as represented in FIG. 2. An adapter 15, in a simple form, may includetwo aligned ports 18 a, 18 b for aligning fiber optic connectors 10, 12therein to align and connect optical fibers 16 end-to-end. For properalignment, the connectors to be aligned generally include one maleconnector 10 and one female connector 12. The male connector 10generally includes at least two guide/alignment pins 20 that fit intothe guide/alignment holes 22 of the female connector 12, therebyessentially ensuring proper alignment of the optical fibers 16 of thetwo connectors when mated end to end. As described herein, theconnectors 10, 12 and adapters 15 may be considered multi-fiberconnectors and multi-fiber adapters.

While the following description is directed towards MPO adapters and MPOconnectors with MT optical ferrules, the embodiments described may beapplicable to other adapters, connectors and ferrule types as well. Anembodiment of an MPO connector 10, 12 may include a ferrule 24 that maybe a multi-fiber ferrule as shown at a first end of the connector. Inaddition, the connector 10 may have attached thereto, a fiber opticcable 26 and cable boot 28 that may extend from a second end of theconnector.

An adapter 15 may include a first end 30 a having a first port 18 a forreceiving the ferrule end of an optical fiber connector 10, 12 therein,and may include a second end 30 b having an additional port 18 b (notvisible) for receiving an additional optical fiber connector, or othertype of fiber optic device therein.

For retention of an MPO connector 10 within each of the ports 18 a, 18b, the ports may be provided internally with a connector clip that maybe formed by the two resilient tabs 32 a, 32 b. The tabs 32 a, 32 b maybe configured to be displaceable outwardly for insertion and removal ofa connector 10, 12 into or out of the ports 18 a, 18 b, and may returnto essentially their original position to engage and retain a connectorin the ports. Adapters 15 may be configured to be mounted on a chassispanel, and may include mounting flanges 34 a, 34 b to mount the adaptervia screws, for example.

A connector 10, 12 may include an inner housing 14 that may surround theferrule 24. A connector 10, 12 may also include a displaceable outerhousing member 36 that may be slidably disposed about the inner housing14 adjacent the second end of the connector 10, 12. To provide for apre-determined alignment of the fiber optic cables within the adapter15, the inner housing 14 may include an alignment key 38 that isconfigured to fit within keying slot 40 of the adapter. Inner housing 14may slide into port 18 a (for example) until tabs 32 a, 32 b engage intoslots 42 of the inner housing 14. The outer housing 36 may be movedtowards the second end to allow the tabs 32 a, 32 b to engage into slots42, and to retain the tabs in the slots, the outer housing 36 may beslid back towards the first end and over the tabs within the port 18 a.The outer housing 36 may be biased towards the first end via springs 44,as shown for example in FIG. 3, or alternative types of biasing devices.

A male connector 10 is depicted in exploded view in FIG. 3. In anembodiment as shown, the ferrule 24, as part of a terminal cableassembly 50, may fit within the inner housing 14. The assembly 50 mayalso include a guide pin retainer 52 (described in more detail below), aterminal housing 54 to which the cable 26 attaches via the terminal post56. A biasing member, such as a spring 58 may be disposed between theterminal housing 54 and the pin retainer 52 to bias the ferrule 24forwardly within the inner housing 14. Such biasing provides a biasedmating of ferrule ends and optical fibers 16 when connectors 10, 12 aremated in an adapter 15 to thereby hold the mated ferrule ends andoptical fibers in contact with one another.

A fiber optic cable 26 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B may be retained with theterminal post 56 by means of a crimp sleeve 60, or other type ofdetainment connector. A connector such as sleeve 60 may be crimped tothe terminal post 56 as well as to a cable sheathing of the cable 26 tothereby prevent the cable from being pulled away from the terminalhousing 54.

A more detailed view of the ferrule 24 and pin retainer 52 arerepresented in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B. As represented, the ferrule 24 mayinclude at least two pin receiving holes or passages 22 that extendthrough the body of the ferrule. Guide pins 20 may be attached with thepin retainer 52, and may be slidably inserted into the holes 22 from therear end of the ferrule 24 to provide a male ferrule assembly asrepresented in FIG. 4, for a male connector 10 as represented in FIG.1A. For a female connector 12, as represented in FIG. 1B, the pinretainer 52 may be used alone, without the attached guide pins 20,thereby leaving the holes 22 open for mating with guide pins of a maleconnector 10.

In an embodiment as represented in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A-7D, the pinretainer 52 may be configured so that the guide pins 20 may beinsertable into, and removable from the pin retainer. For each guide pin20, the pin retainer may include a pin retention configuration, whichmay include a clip formed from a pair of opposed arms 70 a, 70 b. Thearms 70 a, 70 b may define a retention space 72 therebetween into whicha guide pin 20 may be disposed. The retention space may be cylindricaland may have a diameter (d₁) that corresponds with a reduced diameternotch 20 b formed in the guide pin 20. The notch 20 b may have adiameter (d₂) that is less than the diameter (d₃) of the guide pin 20 atleast adjacent each side of the notch.

The anus 70 a, 70 b may be configured to have a degree of resiliencesufficient to allow the arms to move away from one another by an amountsufficient to allow a guide pin 20 to be inserted between the arms, andonce the guide pin is inserted, have the arms return to their originalposition to retain the guide pin in place.

As represented by the dashed line in FIG. 6, a guide pin 20 may belaterally inserted into the retention space 72. The arms 70 a, 70 b maydefine a tapered groove 74 that has a first width (w₁) at the exteriorlateral side of the pin retainer 52, and tapers to a second width (w₂)adjacent the retention space 72. The first width (w₁) may be greaterthan the diameter (d₂) of the pin 20 in the notch 20 b, and the secondwidth (w₂) may be less than the diameter (d₂) of the pin in the notch,and the diameter (d₂) of the pin in the notch 20 b may correspondessentially to the diameter (d₁) of the retention space 72. As the pin20 is laterally inserted into the groove 74, the pin will move into thegroove and first engage the arms 70 a, 70 b. The pin 20 may then bepressed further inward, displacing the arms 70 a, 70 b away from oneanother until the pin passes between the arms and moves into theretention space 72, at which point, the arms may return towards theiroriginal position and retain the pin therebetween, with the pin notch 20b, disposed in, and retained within the retention space.

Alternatively, a guide pin 20 may be inserted axially into the retentionspace 72 between the arms 70 a, 70 b. A-tapered end 20 a of the guidepin 20 may be tapered so that, as the guide pin is moved axially intothe retention space 72, the tapered end 20 a forces the arms 70 a, 70 bapart to the point wherein the guide pin may fit therebetween. The guidepin may then be further inserted until the notch 20 b is disposedbetween the arms 70 a, 70 b, wherein the arms may return towards theiroriginal position and retain the pin therebetween.

Both axial ends of the notch 20 b may be defined by a radial(orthogonal) edge 75 a or 75 b, extending from the reduced diameter (d₂)of the notch to the diameter (d₃) of the pin 20. As such, axial movementof the pin 20 out of the retention space may be prevented. For axial orlateral removal of the pin 20, the arms 70 a, 70 b need to be forcedapart, as discussed further below, to create an opening of a sizesufficient to allow the pin to pass therethrough. If, in an embodiment,the edge 75 b were instead tapered from the reduced diameter (d₂) of thenotch 20 b to the diameter (d₃) of the pin 20, in a direction thetapered end 20 a, application of an axial pulling force to the pin mayallow for the pin to be axially withdrawn from the pin retainer 52 asthe taper would slide between the arms 70 a, 70 b and open the arms asthe pin was withdrawn. However, to prevent tampering, or unauthorizedremoval of the pins 20, a preferred embodiment requires the use of atool, as discussed below with reference to FIGS. 12, 13A, 13B, 14A and14B, for example, to force open the retaining arms 70 a, 70 b.

FIGS. 8A-8D provide top and side views, as well as sectional views of apin 20 retained with a pin retainer 52. FIG. 8C depicts a longitudinalsection through the pin 20 and pin retainer 52 of an embodiment asrepresented in FIG. 8A. As shown, the pin 20 may be axially retainedwithin the pin retainer 52. FIG. 8D depicts a transverse section throughthe pin 20 and pin retainer 52 of an embodiment as represented in FIG.8B. As shown, the pin 20 may be laterally retained within the pinretainer 52.

As represented in FIG. 9, to provide a fiber optic connector that may bechanged from male (with pins 20) to female (without pins 20) access torelease the pins may be provided via passages 80 that may be provided inthe sides of the inner housing 14. In an embodiment as shown, thepassages 80 may be provided within the slots 42. As represented in FIG.9, in comparison to the view provided by FIG. 1A, the outer housing 36may be moved rearwardly away from the front end of the connector toexpose the slots 42 and passages 80. The passages 80 (refer to FIG. 10)may be configured to provide access to the aims 70 a, 70 b (refer toFIG. 11) through the walls of the inner housing 14.

The passages 80 may be configured to accommodate a release tool 82 asdepicted in FIGS. 12-13B. In an embodiment, the release tool 82 may beconfigured to include at least two nibs 84 a, 84 b that fit through thepassages 80, one on each side of the inner housing 14, so that, whenforced inwardly through the passages, push the arms 70 a, 70 b apart byan amount sufficient to release the pins 20 from the pin retainer 52.FIG. 13B depicts a general positioning of a release tool 82 and nibs 84a, 84 b relative to a connector 10 with the outer housing 36 displacedrearwardly for removal of the pins 20.

For clarity, FIGS. 14A and 14B reproduce only the pin retainer 52, pins20, and a portion of the release tool 82 of FIG. 13B. As shown in FIGS.14A and 14B, the tool nibs 84 a, 84 b may be aligned with the taperedgroove 74 between the arms 70 a, 70 b. In an embodiment, the tool arms82 a, 82 b may be squeezed towards one another to move the nibs 84 a, 84b into the tapered groove 74 and between the arms 70 a, 70 b to displacethe arms away from one another and away from the pins 20 as representedin FIG. 14B. After the arms 70 a, 70 b are sufficiently displaced, thepins 20 may be removed from the pin retainer 52 and from the connector10 to change the connector from a male connector 10 (FIG. 1A) to afemale connector 12 (FIG. 1B).

Referring to FIG. 6, 8B, 8C, 10 or 11, alternatively, a female connector12 may be converted to a male connector 10 by inserting the tapered ends20 a of the pins 20 into the guide/alignment holes 22, and pushing thepins inwardly into the pin retainer 52. Because of the taperedconfiguration of the ends 20 a of the pins 20, the tapered ends 20 a mayforce the retainer arms 70 a, 70 b apart to make it possible for thepins to enter between the arms. When the pin notch 20 b passes into theretention space 72 between the arms, the arms may return to theiroriginal position to lock the pins in place. If desired, to facilitateinsertion of the pins 20 into the pin retainer 52 the release tool 82could be used to open the arms 70 a, 70 b thereby making it possible toinsert the pins with less force on the pins.

An alternative embodiment of a release tool 90 is depicted in FIGS. 15Aand 15B. As shown, the release tool 90 may be more compact whilemaintaining nibs 90 a, 90 b in a configuration appropriate for enteringthe passages 80. While two variants of a release tool are shown, otherconfigurations within the general skill of the artisan may also beprovided. In an embodiment (not shown directly, but a variant of whichis provided below) a separate tool may not be needed if the innerhousing 14 was configured with release tabs that are integral with thehousing and include nibs that project partially into the tapered groove74. A user may then simply squeeze the sides of the connector at thecorresponding tabs to press the nibs further in the groove 74 todisplace the arms 70 a, 70 b.

An alternative embodiment of a pin retainer 152 and associated releasetool 182 are represented in FIGS. 16A-16D. Instead of having lateraltapered grooves 74 like the embodiment of pin retainer 52, the retainermay be configured to include tapered grooves 174 that extend from a topor bottom surface of the retainer. Arms 170 a may be displaceablelaterally away from a central core 175. In essentially the same manneras previously discussed with reference to the earlier embodiments, thepins 20 may be retained within the retainer 152, but betweendisplaceable arms 170 a and the central core 175. For converting afemale connector to a male connector, the pins 20, because of thetapered ends 20 a, may be pushed into the retainer 152 so that as thetapered ends are pushed between the arms 170 a and the central core 175,the arms may be forced away from the central core.

To convert from a male connector to a female connector, a release tool,such as tool 182 may be used to force the arms 170 a laterally away fromthe central core 175 to open the retainer and provide clearance for thepins 20 to be released from the retainer. In an embodiment (not shown),the tool 182 may be a separate tool carried by the user, and the innerhousing 114 may include a corresponding opening, openings 115 foraccommodating the tool so that the nibs 190 a, 190 b may be insertedthrough the housing to displace the arms 170 a.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16C and 16D, the tool182 may be separate from the housings and retainer, but included as acomponent of the connector 111. As represented in FIG. 16B, the tool 182may include a body portion 183 from which the nibs 190 a, 190 b project.The tool 182 may include projecting hooks 191 that extend laterally awayfrom the nibs 190 a, 190 b and body portion 183, such that the bodyportion may define a first length (L₁) and the hooks define a secondlength (L₂) that is greater than the first length (L₁). The innerhousing 114 may include an opening 115 that accommodates the bodyportion 183. The opening 115 may have a width that is essentially thesame as, or slightly greater than a width of the body portion 183, and alength (L₃) that is essentially the same as or slightly greater than thelength (L₁), but less than the length (L₂). With such a configuration ofthe tool 182, the hooks 191 will not fit through the opening 115 so thatthe tool 182 is retained within the inner housing 114. The tool bodyportion 183 may have flexibility and resiliency to allow the tool 182 tobe bent for insertion through the opening. For example, a first sidewith nibs 190 a may be inserted through the opening 115, the tool can bebent to reduce the length (L₃) to fit through the opening, and thesecond end with nibs 190 b may be inserted into place wherein the toolmay then return to its original configuration as shown.

Application of an inward pressure on the body portion 183 may force thenibs 190 a, 190 b inwardly into the tapered grooves 174 to press arms170 a, 170 a outwardly away from the central core 175, thereby providingclearance between the pins 20 and the arms to allow the pins to beremoved in a similar manner as to that shown and discussed withreference to FIG. 14B. While not shown in the drawings, the outerhousing 36, when in its forward position (shown displaced rearwardly inFIG. 16C), may completely cover, or alternatively cover a substantialportion of the tool body portion 183 and opening 115 to prevent anaccidental force on the body portion from releasing the pins 20.

An alternative configuration of a pin retainer 252 is represented inFIGS. 17A-17D. In an embodiment, a U-shaped retention clip 283 mayinclude J-shaped hooks 271 a, 271 b at the ends of arms 270 a, 270 b.The J-shaped hooks 271 a, 271 b may be configured to curl into, or fitinto the pin notches 20 b so that, when disposed in the notches, thepins 20 will be held within the pin retainer 252. FIG. 17C represents atop view looking down at a J-hook 271 b and pin 20 from the top of theconfiguration of FIG. 17B. The pin retainer 252 may include resilientspring arms 253 a, 253 b configured to apply pressure to the J-hooks 271a, 271 b to retain the J-hooks in the notches 20 b. With reference toFIG. 17B, resilient spring arms 253 a, 253 b, may apply a downwardpressure on J-hooks 271 a, 271 b to hold the J-hooks in the notches 20 b(shown in cross-section).

Referring to FIG. 17A, to release pins 20, an upward force against thespring arms 253 a, 253 b may be applied to the clip 283 so that arms 270a, 270 b move the J-hooks 271 a, 271 b upwardly and out of the notches20 b. This will free the pins 20 so that the pins may be removed fromthe pin retainer 252. Upon removal of the pins 20, the spring arms 270a, 270 b may return to their original position pushing the J-hooks 271a, 271 b downwardly. As for previous embodiments, to insert pins 20 intothe retainer 252, the tapered ends 20 a may be inserted in and forcedunder the J-hooks 271 a, 271 b to move the J-hooks upwardly against theforce of spring arms 253 a, 253 b until the notches 20 b are alignedwith the J-hooks, at which time the J-hooks will be forced downwardlyinto the notches under the force of the spring arms.

As shown in cross-section in FIG. 17D, the inner housing 214 may includean opening 215 for access (which could resemble the opening 115 as shownin FIG. 16C) to press inwardly on the clip 283. While not shown in thedrawings, the outer housing 36, when in its forward position maycompletely cover, or alternatively cover a substantial portion of, theclip 283 and opening 215 to prevent an accidental force on the bodyportion from releasing the pins 20.

In an alternative embodiment, spring arms 253 a, 253 b could beconfigured to fit into the notches 20 b to engage with the pins 20 andretain the pins in the retainer 252 instead of the J-hooks. A U-shaped,or alternative configuration tool (not shown), for example a U-shapedtool essentially resembling the clip 283, but without the J-hooks may beconfigured to release the pins 20. The tool may be separate from theconnector housing, or included as a part of the connector housing, andmay be configured to be pushed into the housing to engage the springarms 253 a, 253 b and move the spring arms away from and out of thenotches 20 b to release the pins 20.

As represented in FIGS. 18A and 18B, a pin retainer 352 may beconfigured integral with the inner housing 324 to form a one-piecehousing unit (compared with the configuration of FIG. 4). In anembodiment, the arms 370 a, 370 b may be configured similar to arms 70a, 70 b as previously discussed, for example with reference to FIG. 6.Arms 370 a, 370 b may define a tapered notch 374 therebetween, and atool, such as tool 82 (FIG. 12) may be used to open the arms for releaseof pins 20.

Various parts, components or configurations described with respect toany one embodiment above may also be adapted to any others of theembodiments provided.

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in thefigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, whichcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in termsof “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning“including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devicescan also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various componentsand steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as definingessentially closed-member groups.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited andrefer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges asdiscussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in theart, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a grouphaving 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, agroup having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells,and so forth.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A multi-fiber fiber optic connectorinterconvertible between a male connector and a female connector, theconnector comprising: a ferrule comprising at least two spaced apartpassages disposed along at least a portion of the ferrule and configuredfor receiving alignment pins therein, the at least two passages beingspaced apart along a lateral axis, a pin retainer configured forreleasably retaining the alignment pins in the passages; a housingdisposed around the pin retainer and at least a portion of the ferrule;and an outer housing slidably disposed about the housing for movementbetween a first position in which the outer housing obstructs a path fora tool to access the pin retainer for releasing the alignment pins fromthe pin retainer and a second position in which the outer housing doesnot obstruct the path for the tool to access the pin retainer forreleasing the alignment pins from the pin retainer; wherein the pinretainer has a first side and a second side spaced apart along thelateral axis; wherein the pin retainer comprises a pair of arms adjacentthe first side; wherein the arms have a space therebetween sized andarranged for receiving a portion of an alignment pin; wherein the pairof arms is configured to engage the portion of the alignment pinreceived in the space to releasably retain the alignment pin in arespective one of the at least two spaced apart passages; and whereinthe space opens through the first side of the pin retainer.
 2. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the housing and pin retainer areconfigured for interconversion of the connector between the maleconfiguration and the female configuration without disassembly of one orboth of the pin retainer and the housing from the connector.
 3. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises thealignment pins and: the alignment pins comprise a first end for beinginserted through the passage and into the pin retainer, and a notchdisposed adjacent the first end; and each pair of arms comprises aportion for being disposed in the notch to retain the alignment pin withthe pin retainer.
 4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the space betweenthe pair of arms is at least partially defined by opposing interiorsurfaces of the pair of arms, the opposing surfaces defining a retentionspace that is configured to receive the alignment pin when the alignmentpin is aligned with one of the passages of the ferrule.
 5. The connectorof claim 4, wherein the interior surfaces of the pair of arms includingconverging portions that converge toward each other from the first sideof the pin retainer to the retention space.
 6. A method forinterconversion of a fiber optic connector between a male configurationcomprising at least one alignment pin, and a female configurationcomprising at least one passage for receiving an alignment pin, theconnector comprising at least one selectively displaceable lockingmember for locking at least one alignment pin, and the methodcomprising: for converting a female configuration to a maleconfiguration, slidably inserting at least one alignment pin intoengagement with the selectively displaceable locking member to lock thealignment pin into the connector; and for converting a maleconfiguration to a female configuration, slidably displacing an outerhousing of the connector relative to an inner housing of the connectorto expose the at least one passage, applying a force through the atleast one passage to release the selectively displaceable lockingmember, and slidably removing the alignment pin from the connector;wherein said slidably displacing the outer housing exposes first andsecond openings in opposite lateral sides of the inner housing, the atleast one passage being exposed through at least one of the first andsecond openings.